Case study on effect of rewetting grassland with organic soils on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from soil
2024
Skranda, Ilona | Spalva, Gints | Bardule, Arta | Lazdins, Andis
Rewetting grasslands with organic soils is an effective environmental strategy aimed at restoring natural water levels, crucial for mitigating GHG emissions. This process involves reintroducing water to previously drained or degraded peatlands, which helps in re-establishing wetland ecosystems. According to results of other studies rewetting slows down the decomposition of organic matter, significantly reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions; however, can increase methane (CH4) emissions. Additionally, it supports biodiversity, enhances water quality, and can create new habitats for wetland species. This practice plays a vital role in climate change mitigation and ecosystem restoration. Our case study is implemented in former grassland near Smiltene, which was rewetted by closing culvert passing P27 road in late 80-ies during reconstruction of the road. Since that time the area is accumulating water from surrounding forests and farmlands. We measured GHG fluxes, groundwater, temperature, and other environmental parameters for two years once per month using the closed chamber method. Two-year measurements result that nearly 20–40 years after rewetting the grassland is still a significant source of GHG emissions – 6.04 tons CO2-C·haE−1·yrE−1, 0.62 kg CH4·haE−1·yrE−1 and 0.67 kg N2O·haE−1·yrE−1. The net emissions from soil equal to 22.87 tons CO2·haE−1·yrE−1. This is about twice less than from cropland, but about the same level of emissions as in grassland according to other studies implemented in Latvia. Thus, our study does not provide evidence that rewetting can reduce GHG emissions from organic soil.
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Editorial Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
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